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It’s been a while since I was sent this CD to review and I’m happy to say that my initial reaction still stands: This album is brilliant! I’m usually not a fan of this style of music, but one cannot disregard superb songwriting even if it’s a style normally not listened to. Slumber, a six-piece band from Stockholm, Sweden, plays a symphonic, atmospheric form of doom/death metal. The music is somber and dark with a lot of synthesizer and orchestral effects accompanied by a low, sickly, guttural growl. The music is simple, but the simplicity of this album is probably the most intriguing element to this band; they come off as much more of a technical band because they use their talents to such perfection, making it appear to be something it’s not. Leonardo da Vinci once said, “simplicity is the ultimate sophistication” and that statement alone sums up this release. Simple, yet sophisticated, mesmerizing.
Fallout is Slumber’s debut album featuring six re-recorded songs from two previous demos—the title track being the only new song—but most of us weren’t privileged enough to hear those demos so this is just a simple footnote. The only downside to this album is that it is a tad on the short side, but—as I understand it—the band felt that the new material they were writing wasn’t at a stage that sounded complete, so I can’t fault them for having good judgment. You won’t hear me complain much, though, as there is absolutely no trace of filler anywhere to be found on this album. I’ll take seven great songs over seven great song and a few forgettable songs any day of the week.
To get a better understanding of what Slumber sound like, take one part early Anathema, one part early Katatonia, a little My Dying Bride and the symphonic elements of Tristania and Sirenia and you’ll get a good idea of what this band sounds like. This album is truly a gem and worth checking out for fans of this style of music, but I’d also suggest it to fans of metal in general. Like I said, this is not a style of music I listen to often, but this CD just blew me away by its sheer, undying brilliance.
| Tracklist |
| 1. Rapture |
| 2. Conflict |
| 3. Where Nothing Was Left |
| 4. Fallout |
| 5. Distress |
| 6. Dreamscape |
| 7. A Wanderer’s Star |
: 37.51
| Buy other Slumber albums |
